Updated for 2026–27: this page provides a free SCO Class 8 Science Olympiad archived sample-paper PDF covering mixed science concepts such as pressure, friction, magnetism, atoms, desertification, sound, static electricity, light and the silkworm life cycle.

The indexed URL is preserved for search continuity. For current preparation, School Connect Olympiad now gives Class 8 students a broader class hub plus subject-specific Biology, Chemistry and Physics pathways, which is more useful for deeper science preparation than relying on one older general-science paper alone.

Class 8 Science Olympiad Sample Paper PDF — Free Practice

Current SCO Class 8 Science Pathways for 2026

For current preparation, start with the Class 8 Olympiad hub. From there, students can move into dedicated Biology, Chemistry and Physics resources with current 2026 syllabus and practice material.

• Class 8 Biology Olympiad — current syllabus, sample paper, answer key and previous-year paper.
• Class 8 Chemistry Olympiad — current chemistry pathway and downloadable resources.
• Class 8 Physics Olympiad — current physics syllabus and preparation pathway.

Recommended order: use this archived mixed-science paper for broad practice, identify whether weaknesses are mainly Biology, Chemistry or Physics, then move to the relevant current subject pathway for deeper preparation.

Archived Class 8 Science Practice Questions

1. Which of the following does not work on the existence of atmospheric pressure?

1. Rise of iodine solution in the glass tube of dropper
2. Rise of cold drink in a long plastic straw
3. Sticking of suction hook on the wall of a room
4. Rise of mercury in glass tube of thermometer

2. The friction between two surfaces does not depend on one of the following:

1. Amount of surface area of the two objects which is in contact with each other
2. Weight of the object which tends to move on the surface of other object
3. Degree of smoothness of surfaces of two objects in contact with each other
4. Degree of roughness of surfaces of two objects in contact with each other

3. In the circuit shown in figure, when the key is closed, the compass needle placed in the match box deflects. Name the force which cases this deflection.

1. Frictional Force
2. Magnetic Force
3. Electrical Force
4. Gravitational Force

4. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

1. Atom is the smallest part of an element.
2. An element is a substance which is made up of only one kind of atoms.
3. An atom of liquid sulphur or vapour forms of sulphur would be different as that of solid sulphur.
4. Oxygen and nitrogen are two examples of elements

5. Which one of the following changes may occur due to desertification?

1. Decrease in atmospheric temperature
2. Increase in water holding capacity of soil
3. Increased chances of floods
4. Conversion of fertile land into a desert

6. In a large commercial complex there are four ways to reach the main road. One of the path has loose soil, the second is laid with polished marble, the third is laid with bricks and the fourth has gravel surface. It is raining heavily and Hrithvik wishes to reach the main road. The path on which he is least likely to slip is ______.

1. loose soil
2. polished marble 
3. gravel 
4. bricks

7. An object is vibrating at 25 Hz. What is its time period?

1. 0.04 s 
2. 4 s
3. 0.4 s 
4. 40 s

8. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

1. If we rub one end of a pen made of plastic with a sheet of paper, it attracts the tiny pieces of paper.
2. If we take an inflated rubber balloon, rub it carefully with a piece of woollen cloth and then touch it with a wall, the balloon stick to the wall.
3. The glass rod is first rubbed with a piece of silk cloth and then brought near the tiny pieces of paper the glass rod attracts the tiny pieces of paper.
4. None of the above

9. Which of the following produces diffuse reflection of light?

1. Mirror on a dressing table
2. Water surface of a pond
3. Screen in a cinema hall
4. Polished wooden table

10. Hanu made the figure shown here. Help him by giving a suitable caption to the figure.

1. Female butterfly
2. Cocoon
3. Cocoon with developing moth 
4. Silkworm

Answer Keys:

Ques. 1	(d)	Ques. 6	(c)
Ques. 2	(a)	Ques. 7	(a)
Ques. 3	(b)	Ques. 8	(d)
Ques. 4	(c)	Ques. 9	(c)
Ques. 5	(d)	Ques. 10	(c)

Answer Explanations and Concept Review

1. Atmospheric pressure — (d): droppers, drinking straws and suction hooks rely on pressure differences involving atmospheric pressure. Mercury rising in a thermometer mainly results from thermal expansion, not atmospheric pressure.
2. Friction — (a): in the school-level dry-friction model, friction depends mainly on the nature/roughness of surfaces and the normal force, not simply on the apparent area of contact.
3. Current and compass — (b): electric current creates a magnetic field around the conductor, which exerts a magnetic effect on the compass needle.
4. Atoms and elements — (c): the identity of a sulphur atom does not change merely because sulphur is solid, liquid or vapour. A change of physical state does not create a different kind of atom.
5. Desertification — (d): desertification is the degradation of productive land toward dry, desert-like conditions.
6. Friction and slipping — (c): a rough gravel path generally provides more friction than polished wet marble, making slipping less likely in the intended comparison.
7. Frequency and time period — (a): time period T = 1/f. For 25 Hz, T = 1/25 s = 0.04 s.
8. Static electricity — (d): all three examples describe charging by friction and electrostatic attraction, so none of the statements is incorrect.
9. Diffuse reflection — (c): a cinema screen is designed to scatter reflected light in many directions so viewers across the hall can see the image.
10. Silk moth life cycle — (c): the pictured stage represents a cocoon containing a developing moth/pupa; use the life-cycle context rather than memorising the option letter alone.

Fresh Class 8 Science Mini Challenge

1. Which quantity equals force divided by area?
   A. Work   B. Pressure   C. Power   D. Energy
2. A 50 Hz vibration has a time period of:
   A. 0.02 s   B. 0.2 s   C. 2 s   D. 50 s
3. Which surface usually produces the greatest friction?
   A. Smooth ice   B. Polished marble   C. Rough rubber   D. Oiled glass
4. Which phenomenon makes a rubbed balloon stick to a wall?
   A. Gravitation   B. Static electricity   C. Magnetism   D. Refraction
5. Which statement about atoms is correct?
   A. An atom changes identity when the substance melts   B. Atoms of an element retain their identity during a physical change   C. All atoms are identical   D. Atoms exist only in solids

Answers: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-B, 5-B. Ask the student to write one line of reasoning for every answer.

4-Week Class 8 Science Olympiad Practice Plan

Week	Focus	Goal
1	Use the Class 8 hub to review broad science topics and identify whether Biology, Chemistry or Physics is the weakest area.	Choose the right current SCO subject pathway.
2	Revise force/pressure, friction, sound, electricity, light, materials, atoms and environmental science.	Strengthen mixed-science concepts used in the archived paper.
3	Attempt this archived paper under timed conditions and review all 10 explanations above.	Track concept, calculation, diagram and reading errors.
4	Move to the current Biology, Chemistry or Physics sample/previous-year resources based on the weakest area.	Build deeper subject-specific readiness.

Parent and Teacher Checklist

• Ask students to show calculations for numerical questions such as frequency and time period.
• Separate Physics, Chemistry, Biology and environmental-science mistakes.
• Use current SCO subject pages instead of relying only on the archived mixed paper.
• Ask why distractor options are incorrect.
• Use diagrams and small safe demonstrations where appropriate.
• Re-test weak concepts after several days rather than immediately memorising the answer.

Current SCO Class 8 Exam Path

Current update — October 8, 2026: SCO’s Class 8 hub provides subject-specific Olympiad routes including Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The Biology pathway currently shows a Winter 2027 slot on October 10, 2026. Students should always confirm the latest subject-specific slot on the live exam calendar before registering.

View current SCO exam dates  |  Register for SCO Olympiad

Related Class 8 Science Olympiad Resources

• Class 8 Science Olympiad Previous-Year Practice
• Class 7 Science Olympiad Sample Paper
• Class 9 Science Olympiad Previous-Year Paper
• Class-wise Olympiad Previous Papers

Class 8 Science Olympiad FAQs

Is this archived Class 8 Science PDF still useful?

Yes. It remains useful for mixed-science practice and timing. For current preparation, use the Class 8 SCO hub and the dedicated Biology, Chemistry and Physics pathways.

Why use subject-specific pathways at Class 8?

Class 8 science becomes more detailed, so separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics resources allow students to diagnose and strengthen specific weak areas more effectively.

What should students do after this paper?

Review errors by subject, revise the weakest topics and then attempt the corresponding current SCO subject sample or previous-year paper.